StreSS urinary incontinence among women participating in the family health program of DouraDoS (mS), Brazil 649Rev Assoc Med Bras 2010; 56(6): 649-54 IntroductIonUrinary incontinence (UI) is defined as involuntary loss of urine through the urethra. 1 This condition can be classified into three common types: stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and mixed urinary incontinence. In SUI, urine leakage occurs when there is increased intraabdominal pressure, such as while practicing physical exercise, coughing, or sneezing. UUI is the inability to hold urine because of a strong need to void. Mixed urinary incontinence is a combination of the two previous conditions. 2 The economic impact of UI is significant both for the public health system and the families of patients with this pathology. In the United States, the cost of the treatment of patients with UI was estimated to be approximately $ 19.5 million in 2000. 3 The annual amount paid for routine care of a U.S. woman with UI was estimated at $ 900.00. 4 Studies have shown the negative impact of UI on the social, sexual, and psychological dimensions. 5 Fultz et al. assessed the impact of UI in 3,364 employed women and demonstrated impairment of work rhythm because of increased frequency of bathroom breaks. 6 Tamanini et al., using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ-SF), showed that among 225 patients with UI, 8.9% (20) and 17.8% (40) considered the impact of this condition on their quality of life to be severe and very severe, respectively. 7 Telephone interviews conducted in 2003 with 82,196 people over 65 years demonstrated that the prevalence of UI is twice as high in women compared to men and UI is significantly associated with depression. 8 The prevalence of female UI can range from 8.5% to 55%. showed a weak association. Using logistic regression, only pairing of weight and hysterectomy was able to predict the outcome (SUI). Most women with SUI (63.9%) had very severe impairment in the QOL. conclusIon. The prevalence of SUI was similar to that found in other studies; BMI, parity, number of pregnancies, and hysterectomy were associated with this disease, which seriously impairs the QOL.